KEY Milwaukee - Featured Restaurant

Crawdaddy’s treats diners to “Cajun Fusion” specialties

CRAWDADDY’S, conveniently located at 6414 W. Greenfield Ave. in West Allis, is a favorite with locals and travelers alike. The restaurant is a Milwaukee original, launched ten years ago by partners Jonathan Klug and John Vukelic.

Every day is Mardi Gras here, with Cajun Zydeco and Blues music filling the air. Louisiana-inspired artwork features alligators and crawfish, and graceful wrought-iron accents recall the balconies and gates of the Deep South. The restaurant’s popularity ensures a party-like atmosphere, whether you visit for lunch or dinner. And helping to keep everybody in a great mood is Crawdaddy’s menu, with a vast array of dishes to choose from.

Klug, who is the chef as well as an owner, describes the food here as a "unique style of seafood-driven Cajun Fusion cuisine." In fact, the restaurant has earned “Best Seafood” kudos from several different diner surveys.

Of course, traditional New Orleans specialties like Gumbo Ya Ya, Red Beans and Rice, Jambalaya and Shrimp Creole are always served with great flair here. What really sets this restaurant apart, though, is the creative approach evident in the entire menu, from appetizers to desserts.

The “starters,” for example, include mushrooms stuffed with Andouille Sausage and Cajun Fire Sticks (a different take on Buffalo Wings). Sandwiches and salads are on the dinner and lunch menus, and include a traditional PoBoy or Muffuletta, just like the ones served in the French Quarter. But order a Crawdaddy’s Caesar Salad, and you’ll be delighted with the mound of warm crawfish tail meat and Cajun croutons. Marinated Grilled Lamb Salad is tossed with Chevre cheese, toasted pine nuts, Roma tomatoes, pancetta and red onion vinaigrette.

While the evening specials change depending on the best fresh ingredients available, recent offerings included Blackened Grouper or Hamachi with fresh berry relish, 12 Ounce Black Angus KC Strip Steak with Tasso Hollandaise Sauce, or Crawfish Stuffed Cornish Hen with roasted corn salsa and Bordelaise sauce.

It’s a cliché—but difficult as it may be—this really is one place to save room for dessert! Bread Pudding with bourbon sauce, Key Lime and Pecan Pies are incredible.

While the entire dining room is non-smoking, smoking is allowed at the front bar. Ahead of its time, Crawdaddy’s also has had a no-smoking bar in the back dining area for several years. Sip a Louisiana beer such as Abita Purple Hace, Blackened Voodoo, Dixie, or Abita Turbo Dog (on tap). Specialty drinks include a Crawdaiquiri or Crawdaddy’s Hurricane.

Speaking of hurricane, Crawdaddy’s exhibited characteristic community involvement when the first group of Louisiana refugees landed in Milwaukee after Hurricane Katrina. The restaurant, figuring that they were lonesome for a taste of home, catered a (free) hot meal of Cajun specialties for the new arrivals.

Crawdaddy’s can be easily reached via I-94 East/West by exiting at the 68th/70th St. exit if eastbound and Hawley Rd. exit if westbound. After exiting, go south to Greenfield Ave. For more info or directions, phone 414-778-2228. Crawdaddy’s does not take reservations, but special arrangements can be made for large groups. There is a separate room available for parties. Catering and take out also is available.

KEY Milwaukee is distributed monthly in hotels, motels, visitor's centers, corporations and retail stores in Southeastern Wisconsin and on the Internet at www.keymilwaukee.com. It is a KEY Magazine, licensed by KEY Magazines, Inc.

KEY Milwaukee makes every effort to maintain the accuracy of the information provided in the monthly magazine and website, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes and omissions.

This site designed, maintained and hosted for KEY Milwaukee by

...when it's time to establish an Internet presence.